SpaceX wants to launch more satellites than are already in orbit

SPACEX is aiming for satellite domination. Elon Musk’s space firm wants to launch more satellites than are currently in orbit, with the aim of delivering superfast broadband to the entire world.

The satellites will orbit at between 1150 and 1275 kilometres above Earth. SpaceX plans to kick things off with an initial constellation of 1600 satellites followed by a further 2825, all of which will be put into four orbital shells to improve coverage. Details of the plans emerged last week in an application to the US Federal Communications Commission.

Each satellite will be able to provide internet access for anyone within a 2120-kilometre-wide ellipse underneath its orbit. SpaceX says the satellites will provide internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second per user, which is around 200 times faster than average current speeds.

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Once SpaceX has around 800 satellites in orbit, its internet service will cover the majority of the world, getting millions of people online.

Similar projects are being developed by Airbus, Virgin Galactic and Boeing, among others.

This article appeared in print under the headline “Satellite confetti”